Less Than One Year For the Return of Wizard World 2020



Alex Lloyd Gross -photo- Delaware Valley News.com The Firefly panel.

By Alex Lloyd Gross

If you are reading this, chances are you went to Wizard World. The pop culture get together held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  It’s over at 5;00 PM June 16, 2019. The good news is you do not have to wait too long for the next one. Less than one year, the show is coming back to Philly. June 11 through 14 2020. It’s not even on their website yet but trust us, it’s gonna be there.

Alex Lloyd Gross- Photo- Delaware Valley News.com. A real Vermont State Trooper with a real car and fake pot.

This year fans of Firefly got to stand in line to meet Sean Maher, Jewel Staite and Adam Baldwin and if that was not enough, they got to attend a panel.  This panel was done correct. The moderator introduces the cast, and gets right to the audience questions.He does not monopolize the panel.  Jewel was extra nice and accommodating with her fans and at her booth answered every question.  The warm Philly weather caused her to wear shorts. That was a smart move on her part, as  lots of her male fans wanted to get selfies and photos of her.

Alex Lloyd Gross- Photo- Delaware Valley News.com Kara Eberle gets ready to fist bump a fan.

An actor that comes to the show in a plain T-shirt and jeans is not going to get the same reaction as someone that is dressed in nice clothes or dresses sexy. It was not just actors, but different , off the beaten path exhibits such as the Insect Museum in Philadelphia , the United States Army along with real live dogs. The dogs got more attention than some actors. There was also a Vermont State Trooper with a real green Troop Car.  He was no actor, he was there to promote the state and tourism.

It must be said again that actors that restrict fans taking photos do NOT make as much money as those that welcome cameras. A fan, who makes $8.00./hr  dealing with idiots all year saves their cash to come to a convention. When they see an actor they like they raise their cellphone and get yelled at . They then walk away without spending any money. Mehcad Brooks was a prime example of this.

Fans of the Batman series were happy to meet Kevin Conroy. Carey Elwes was in his booth, not chasing tornadoes like he did in Twister. He was actually down to earth and a pleasure to talk with. Fans of the animated RWBY series were happy to meet Lindsay Jones, Kara Eberle, Arryn Zech and Barbara Dunkleman.  As most fans entered, they were greeted by Kato Kaelin.  Yes, that Kato . No he has not spoken to OJ since 1994.

Some actors were only able to be at the show for a day, like Ted Danson and George Wendt from Cheers. Lines were long to meet them and they  accommodated as many fans as they could.